The West is Sponging the Arabs’ Surplus Revenue
Dual standards at work again: nuclear energy is forbidden for Iran, but suggested for Israel and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
The one-year old Arab Spring (of North Africa and the Middle East) has brought the US and members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council closer together –the GCC being an organization which was initially formed in response to Iran's Islamic Revolution. While Iran is under constant investigation by the IAEA for its nuclear program, GCC Arabs convene at ease to discuss nuclear projects. Iranian Diplomacy has interviewed Iran's former ambassador to Lebanon, Massoud Edrisi, on the Arabs’ interest in nuclear energy:
IRD: GCC members have sat down with IAEA to discuss nuclear cooperation. At this point, what is tempting the Arabs to focus on nuclear energy?
ME: The West’s relentless campaign against Iran's nuclear program, GCC members’ geographical proximity to Iran, and their aggravating relations with Tehran have caused the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to start their own nuclear programs. Of course, there are economic reasons too: with oil prices sharply rising, Arab countries are seeking ways to make use of their revenue surplus.
IRD: Do you think that the West is truly interested in the Arab states going nuclear?
ME: I think they are the key motivators. Arabs’ nuclearization means investment opportunities for the West. Of course, the West will never convey the know-how to Arab countries; they are primarily interested in the Arabs’ dollars, and secondly, trying to create a nuclear balance between Iran and its southern neighbors.
IRD: Do you see any contingency whereby the Western countries would equip Arab states with nuclear weapons to create a powerful leverage against Iran?
ME: That is off-limits for Arab countries. Israel is also against any other regional state acquiring nuclear weapons. Even Saudi Arabia-- the West’s most powerful and important ally in the Middle East-- won’t be equipped with such weapons. In the West’s security doctrine, no Muslim country should have nuclear weapons.